Tom Jones musical to premiere at Leeds Playhouse

A new musical featuring the songs of Tom Jones is to premiere at Leeds Playhouse.

What’s New Pussycat? features a book by Joe DiPietro, choreography by Arlene Phillips and will be directed by Luke Sheppard.

The musical is set in the 60s and inspired by Henry Fielding’s 1749 novel, The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling.

It will run at Leeds Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre from September 23 to October 31, with press night on October 1.

Set design is by Jon Bausor, costume is by Gabriella Slade, lighting is by Howard Hudson and sound is by Gareth Owen.

Sheppard said: “Sometimes you work on a show and you know it could be really special, and our first staged reading of this piece left me flying high.

“It’s down to the amazing synergy between a fiercely witty script that takes this classic novel and casts it in a fresh and vibrant new light in the swinging 60s, and an incredible catalogue of music that has such range it can break your heart one moment and have you on the dance floor the next.”

What’s New Pussycat? will be produced by Leeds Playhouse with Chris Harper and Flody Suarez.